US3883203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety device for article storage and retrieval apparatus
Assignee: Unisys Corp
•
Filing: 1973-03-21
•
Granted: 1975-05-13
•
Expires: 1993-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A safety device for assuring safe transport of article carrying containers positioned on carriers in a filing cabinet in which the carriers are moved in an orbital path. The cabinet is provided with an opening adjacent the orbital path of the carriers and a control system activates an appropriate drive mechanism to selectively position the containers for access thereto. The safety device locks and controls the locking of the containers on the carriers during transport.
Inventors
- 👤 Werner Franz Lexe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:28
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B63/00; A47B63/06; A47B63/067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
290 words
A power operated article storage system comprising: Endless carrier means carrYing a plurality of carriers along an orbital path for selectively positioning the carriers at an access station; A plurality of containers slideably supported on the carriers so that each container is slideable between a fully retracted position on the carrier and a laterally extended position from the carrier; A plurality of locking assemblies each mounted on a respective container, said locking assemblies each including a movable locking member actuable for movement between a locking positin in which the movable locking member engages the container''s carrier and thereby secures the container in the retracted position to prevent relative sliding between the container and the carrier and an unlocked position in which the movable locking member is disengaged from the container''s carrier and thereby permits relative sliding between the container and carrier, and further including a lock-actuating member operatively associated with said movable locking member for moving said movable locking member between said locking position and said unlocked position in response to activation of said lock-actuating member; Container-sliding means positioned at the access station and operatively associated with a container positioned at the access station for sliding the container between the retracted and extended positions, said container-sliding means being aligned with the lock-actuating member of the container positioned at the access station so as to activate the lockactutating member and thereby move its associated locking member from said locking position to said unlocked position prior to sliding the container from the retracted position to the extended position; and Stationary sensing means positioned at the access station and aligned with the movable locking member of the container positioned at the access station for sensing the locking position of the movable locking member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
290 words
A power operated article storage system comprising: Endless carrier means carrYing a plurality of carriers along an orbital path for selectively positioning the carriers at an access station; A plurality of containers slideably supported on the carriers so that each container is slideable between a fully retracted position on the carrier and a laterally extended position from the carrier; A plurality of locking assemblies each mounted on a respective container, said locking assemblies each including a movable locking member actuable for movement between a locking positin in which the movable locking member engages the container''s carrier and thereby secures the container in the retracted position to prevent relative sliding between the container and the carrier and an unlocked position in which the movable locking member is disengaged from the container''s carrier and thereby permits relative sliding between the container and carrier, and further including a lock-actuating member operatively associated with said movable locking member for moving said movable locking member between said locking position and said unlocked position in response to activation of said lock-actuating member; Container-sliding means positioned at the access station and operatively associated with a container positioned at the access station for sliding the container between the retracted and extended positions, said container-sliding means being aligned with the lock-actuating member of the container positioned at the access station so as to activate the lockactutating member and thereby move its associated locking member from said locking position to said unlocked position prior to sliding the container from the retracted position to the extended position; and Stationary sensing means positioned at the access station and aligned with the movable locking member of the container positioned at the access station for sensing the locking position of the movable locking member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
A power-operated article storage system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stationary sensing means assumes a first state in response to said stationary sensing means sensing a container positioned at the access station in a fully retracted position and its movable locking member being in a locking position and assumes a second state in response to either the container being in a fully retracted position and its movable locking member being in an unlocked position or the container not being in a fully retracted position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A power-operated article storage system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said stationary sensing means is a proximity switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A power-operated article storage system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said stationary sensing means includes a control means for deactivating said stationary sensing means under conditions where a carrier is not positioned accurately at said access station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A power-operated article storage system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said locking assemblies comprises a lock bar suspended on a bell crank actuatable by said container-sliding means to lift the lock bar and unlock the container from the carrier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A power-operated article storage system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said carrier includes a transverse flange element and said lock bar comprises on its front side, a bevel adapted to engage said flange to enable the manual insertion of the container onto the carrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A power-operated article storage system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stationary sensing means is a proximity switch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |